Four questions (Or why is this season different than any other season?)

1. Which young player will give the most surprising performance this season?

JF: I almost supremely out-thought myself and said Aaron Bummer, but I probably don’t have to be that surprising. People will be surprised to see what Tim Anderson can do with a year of maturation and when he’s not going through hell off the field. The swing is actually pretty polished and the physical tools are pretty loud.

JG: I’m going to say Reynaldo Lopez. I haven’t heard anything about him all spring. So he’ll surprise me with his very existence.

LC: The great thing about this team is it could be just about anyone, but I think Lucas Giolito has a good chance of reclaiming his former elite stats as a prospect in his first full season in the majors.

2. If Rick Renteria hasn’t signed an extension yet, will he get one this season?

JF: Yes, but they’ll manage to keep it under wraps until SoxFest…possibly SoxFest 2020.

JG: I think he gets an extra two years sometime this season, but his managing will get put under the microscope starting this season. He’s going to have to tighten up his game between the lines.

LC: Yes. It’s seemed pretty clear that Renteria is the White Sox’s guy, and now that he’s inspired some T-shirts, he’s going to have to stick around.

3. When will the Sox call up Michael Kopech and Eloy Jimenez?

JF: [Calls up script from all my radio hits on this subject] The trade deadline should provide the best opportunity to open permanent spots in the lineup/rotation for both. As was the case for Yoan Moncada, Lucas Giolito and others, they won’t bring either up until there’s a regular spot for them, and they will have to create one.

JG: On May 11, the White Sox go to Wrigley Field. If they have any regard for me, the lazy columnist, they will bring up Jimenez for that series. As for Kopech, I’m thinking the series at Detroit starting May 25. How’s that for specificity?

LC: Barring any unforeseen struggles or injuries, late June/early July. Although Jimenez will probably do his best to make Rick Hahn look insane for not calling him up as early as possible.

4. The Sox did a bang-up job selling players last season. If there’s a good buy out there, will they change course and trade prospects this season?

JF: That seems like an offseason pursuit, otherwise they wind up paying the same deadline premium that they charged the Cubs last July. Their record will not provide them the urgency to sell talent right before a bananas free agent market.

JG: I think the Sox need to think ahead and try to beat the offseason market to fix any holes before 2019, but the in-season prices might be too high for their liking. It’s definitely something they will consider though, as evidenced by their pursuit of Manny Machado this winter.

LC: I don’t think they’d be unwilling to trade any prospects, but I necessarily don’t foresee the team being good enough where Hahn would be so motivated to trade for a major piece of a future contender. But at the right price, who knows what Hahn will do.

(Top photo: Patrick Gorski/USA TODAY Sports)

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